JOHANNESBURG, July 14 (AFP) - Pop star Michael Jackson on Wednesday flew into South Africa on a business trip expected to build on his promise to President Nelson Mandela to invest in the

region.

Jackson, clad from head to toe in his trademark red, black and white, was spotted and mobbed by fans in an upmarket shopping mall in Johannesburg's northern suburbs in the afternoon.

The eccentric singer went on a walkabout and greeted locals, telling many he loved them, before disappearing for a business meeting with cell phone service provider MTN, the SAPA news agency reported.

Jackson is expected to also visit Namibia, Swaziland and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He recently attended a special southern Africa economic summit, organised by the World Economic Forum, and held talks with several

heads of state including DRC President Laurent Kabila.

He is rumoured to be interested in buying a large share of the South African leisure group Sun International, which owns the Sun City resort.